The speed limit sign that slowed down that driver rather than hitting your dog running out into the street. The cigarette smoking ban that allowed you to freely eat in peace without inhaling carcinogens and smelly smoke. The lifeguard who kept blowing whistles at kids goofing off in the water so that he would know when he needed to jump in and act when the splashing signaled a real problem. The parent who made you come home by curfew so they knew you were safe at home and not getting into more trouble (since we all know that nothing good happens after midnight). These are also very obvious rules for our good. There are plenty of rules many of us would say are much less purposeful. We may even say there are some reasons that were meant for breaking. Today I have been thinking about rules and it just occurred to me that one of the reasons I may always end up doing so poorly on every weight loss diet I've ever tried is because I am honestly not the best rule follower. I tend to always think outside of the box. And I like to make my own rules. I believe I once took great pride in this identity until I got older and realized that breaking the rules was not very God-honoring. I wanted to be an example of a woman who strived to live in a way that was pleasing to God and when I went by the mantra "it's easier to ask forgiveness than it is to ask permission", I could not be defined as such a woman. Rules are in place for a reason, as difficult as that may be to hear, and type. God gave us rules because He knows what is best for us and because He wants the best for us. For people who like to be in control, this is a difficult pill to swallow. I'll admit that I like to think I always know what is best - just ask my little brother or sister. The truth is, I don't make the right choices to reflect this know-it-all attitude. I am completely aware of my lack of control in controlling my weight. I know all the right things to do but I just don't do them because I do not like to follow the rules. I like options. I like freedom. I like the control I think I have when I finally make up my mind and order one of my favorite meals at the Cheesecake Factory. But then I eat and get my daily intake of calories just in the bread and entree alone. I haven't even gotten to the cheesecake. I will be so bold to say that it is also important to note that there is nothing wrong with cheesecake. As long as it's the exception and not the rule. Which is why it is important to know the rules and try to live by them so that we can now choose to live life to the fullest, the way God designed for all of us. Please open your Bible to read Deuteronomy 4 or just click here.
Obedience Commanded. Idolatry Forbidden. Those two subtitles in this chapter are extremely powerful but pretty much wrap up the entire chapter. Moses tells the Israelites "Hear now, O Israel, the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you."(v.1) I love that Moses spends a lot of time helping them warm up to the idea of following these rules. He mentions these "decrees and laws" five different times in the first 14 verses, reminding them in many different ways and also trying to explain why the rules are vital to life in the promised land. "See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the Lord, my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to possess."(v.5) He makes the personal connection of God coming down from Heaven to meet with them in the fire to share these rules with them because of His great love for His children. This is also how he transitions to the idolatry part of this chapter. He basically asks them, "what other god have you ever seen who would do the things I have done for you?" And in these questions to the Israelites, we find our new motivation. If our Father in Heaven, who loves us and has a good plan for our lives, created these rules to help and not to harm us, we want to obey. We want to please Him and make Him proud because we love Him. And we obey because we trust Him. The Israelites had to keep the right focus so not to get off track. They had a past record of creating other gods and they are walking into territory where they will meet people who worship other gods. This had to be brought to their attention first perhaps to prepare them for what lay ahead and also to remind them of how easily they were able to fall. Moses sums it up in Deuteronomy 4:39-40 saying, "Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other. Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the Lord your God gives you for all time." Obedience to the rules is a necessity when you want to walk into the fullness of the promises of God. He really does know what is best and there is nothing else that will ever compare to the true satisfaction and joy we will find when we walk in His ways. I need to remember to apply this to my weight loss plan. Rules are good. I need to stick to them and I will find success. God will allow the rules to teach me discipline, perseverance and self control. Idolatry is never going to lead to lasting happiness. You know the old saying, "a moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips." I have made food an idol in my life for too long. It is time to take that elevated false god off the throne and replace it with the One true King who has the ability to bring me true joy that only comes from knowing Him.
Father, thank you that You alone are worthy of our obedience. Thank you that I can trust You to walk in Your commandments because You are good. Apart from You I can do nothing and am nothing. I need You daily to redirect my steps and remind me of who I am in You. Forgive me when I choose to go it alone and give me the wisdom to submit to Your rules because I know they are only meant for my good. I love You, Lord. Amen.
Now Choose Life.
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